So don't take our word for it, see what thousands of our customers are saying about us!
We just did a 2 night trip but due to us arriving late the team were able to advice on a more suitable route/ destination so we could fit everything in
27 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your group had an amazing time and felt well supported throughout your trip. It’s wonderful to know the team at Springwood Marina were so helpful, especially in guiding you toward a suitable route after your late arrival. We’re especially pleased that your first boating experience was such a success—and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
I can't recommend ABC and Springwood marina enough, our group were complete novices but the team were brilliant and couldn't do enough to support us. We had an amazing time, thank you!
27 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your fantastic feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your group had an amazing time and felt well supported throughout your trip. It’s wonderful to know the team at Springwood Marina were so helpful, especially in guiding you toward a suitable route after your late arrival. We’re especially pleased that your first boating experience was such a success—and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure soon! Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
Wasn't our planned trip which we were unable to do because of water shortage.
27 Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback and for highlighting both the positives and the challenges during your trip. We’re pleased to hear that our staff were friendly and helpful, and that the boat was well equipped. We're truly sorry that your planned route couldn’t go ahead due to the water shortage—these situations are unfortunately beyond our control, but we understand how disappointing that must have been. We appreciate your understanding and hope we can welcome you back for the trip you originally intended in the future. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
Friendly helpful staff. Boat well equipped.
27 Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback and for highlighting both the positives and the challenges during your trip. We’re pleased to hear that our staff were friendly and helpful, and that the boat was well equipped. We're truly sorry that your planned route couldn’t go ahead due to the water shortage—these situations are unfortunately beyond our control, but we understand how disappointing that must have been. We appreciate your understanding and hope we can welcome you back for the trip you originally intended in the future. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
First of all we have to say that we had a lovely week on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The reason we have given the holiday only 3 stars is because we feel that there were some things that are simple to address. We had no hot water for the first 25 or so hours. The water was stone cold from the outset. We travelled for about an hour and a half on the first day then kept the engine running up to nearly 8pm, still no hot water so we couldn't have a shower. On the 2nd day we started the engine at 8am, still no hot water so we called the office and told them. They sent an engineer out fairly quickly. He said the tank was hot and we would have to wait and out more time on the engine. We then travelled on Saturday for about 5 hours. Still no hot water so we rang again. The engineer questioned if we basically knew how to run a tap. He came out about 5pm on the Saturday and discovered that some sort of temperature valve was faulty. The hot water was eventually resolved late afternoon on Saturday. My issue is that why wasn't the correct inspection done prior to the boat being handed over to us and why didn't the engineer listen to us when we said that the water had no heat whatsoever? Second issue. The beds are two pretty thin mattresses pushed together and the joint down the middle is very uncomfortable. Third. The drinking water was undrinkable, the thin water pipe from the drinking water tap came away in my hand. We just feel that the hot water issue should have been dealt with better. Perhaps a small refund or a discount on future holidays for not being able to shower would have been a nice gesture We paid close to £2000 for the week so the boat should be of a decent standard but it felt a bit tired.
25 Sep 2025
First of all we have to say that we had a lovely week on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The reason we have given the holiday only 3 stars is because we feel that there were some things that are simple to address. We had no hot water for the first 25 or so hours. The water was stone cold from the outset. We travelled for about an hour and a half on the first day then kept the engine running up to nearly 8pm, still no hot water so we couldn't have a shower. On the 2nd day we started the engine at 8am, still no hot water so we called the office and told them. They sent an engineer out fairly quickly. He said the tank was hot and we would have to wait and out more time on the engine. We then travelled on Saturday for about 5 hours. Still no hot water so we rang again. The engineer questioned if we basically knew how to run a tap. He came out about 5pm on the Saturday and discovered that some sort of temperature valve was faulty. The hot water was eventually resolved late afternoon on Saturday. My issue is that why wasn't the correct inspection done prior to the boat being handed over to us and why didn't the engineer listen to us when we said that the water had no heat whatsoever? Second issue. The beds are two pretty thin mattresses pushed together and the joint down the middle is very uncomfortable. Third. The drinking water was undrinkable, the thin water pipe from the drinking water tap came away in my hand. We just feel that the hot water issue should have been dealt with better. Perhaps a small refund or a discount on future holidays for not being able to shower would have been a nice gesture We paid close to £2000 for the week so the boat should be of a decent standard but it felt a bit tired.
25 Sep 2025
Helpful staff, comfortable, clean boat, had a great time!
25 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that every part of your holiday—from booking to boat orientation and return—was enjoyable. It’s fantastic to know our staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and patient, and that the boat was comfortable, clean, and well equipped. We’re especially pleased that you had such a great time and plan to return! Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your friends aboard again soon. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
Every interaction was enjoyable, from initial booking, to boat orientation and return. Knowledgeable, friendly and patient staff, had a great time, plan to return, and will recommend to friends without hesitation!
25 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that every part of your holiday—from booking to boat orientation and return—was enjoyable. It’s fantastic to know our staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and patient, and that the boat was comfortable, clean, and well equipped. We’re especially pleased that you had such a great time and plan to return! Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you and your friends aboard again soon. Many thanks, ABC Boat Hire
07 Oct 2025
We found it very frustrating that ABC could not give us a clear suggested itinerary including times between locks and bridges. We had to work out how far everything was how fast the boat could move and therefore how long it would take to get to the points on the tiny map. We were then directed to call the Boat Movement team to book in times for all the locks and bridges. The Boat Movement team are run by volunteers that rarely answer the phone. And when we did get through, all plans we made were subject to their volunteers’ availability to open the locks and bridges. So our planning was wasted time. Overall it was quite stressful making sure we were at the locks and bridges on time. Not the relaxed stop where and when you want described in the marketing material. We also had an issue with a leaking roof in several places making bedding wet. Due to previous issues with people answering phones we opted to email our issue. This email was not seen until after we finished our trip.
24 Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're genuinely sorry to hear that aspects of your trip were frustrating and not as relaxing as you had hoped. We understand how important clear communication and reliable planning are, especially for first-time boaters, and we regret that the itinerary guidance and coordination with the Boat Movement team caused stress. We also sincerely apologise for the issue with the leaking roof and the delay in responding to your email. Your feedback is extremely valuable, and we’re reviewing both our communication processes and maintenance checks to ensure future guests have a smoother experience. We’re glad to hear the boat was overall neat and clean, and we appreciate your honesty in highlighting both the positives and the areas where we need to improve. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Comfortable well equipped boat. Central heating and hot showers, even Tvs that pick up most channels.
24 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the comfort and quality of the boat, and that our friendly customer service helped make your experience even better. It’s great to know the central heating, hot showers, and TV reception added to your enjoyment — we aim to make every trip as relaxing and well-equipped as possible. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another great adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
The boat was overall neat and clean with some wear and tear on the ceiling in several places, this was fine until it rained and leaked.
24 Sep 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're genuinely sorry to hear that aspects of your trip were frustrating and not as relaxing as you had hoped. We understand how important clear communication and reliable planning are, especially for first-time boaters, and we regret that the itinerary guidance and coordination with the Boat Movement team caused stress. We also sincerely apologise for the issue with the leaking roof and the delay in responding to your email. Your feedback is extremely valuable, and we’re reviewing both our communication processes and maintenance checks to ensure future guests have a smoother experience. We’re glad to hear the boat was overall neat and clean, and we appreciate your honesty in highlighting both the positives and the areas where we need to improve. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Great boats, great customer service great marina’s
24 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the comfort and quality of the boat, and that our friendly customer service helped make your experience even better. It’s great to know the central heating, hot showers, and TV reception added to your enjoyment — we aim to make every trip as relaxing and well-equipped as possible. We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for another great adventure! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Excellent instruction, very friendly staff, lovely fully equipped clean boat. We had a marvellous day, shall certainly use again and thoroughly recommend to everyone
24 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a marvellous day and enjoyed the excellent instruction, friendly staff, and the clean, fully equipped boat. It means a lot to know you'd recommend us and plan to return — we look forward to welcoming you aboard again soon! Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Boat was good but staff inflexible. We were on a short hire (4 nights) and asked in advance if we could get away earlier than the stipulated 1430. We were assured that our request was noted and ABC would do their best. We arrived at midday, the boatyard was not busy yet no one showed the slightest interest in getting up away as requested. In fact it was 1500 before we got underway.
23 Sep 2025
Thank you for your feedback, and we’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet expectations. We understand how disappointing it must have been to arrive early and not be able to get underway as hoped, especially on a short break. While we do our best to accommodate early departures when possible, we regret that this wasn’t achieved in your case. We also appreciate your understanding regarding the Grand Union closure, and we’re sorry it affected your plans to complete the Birmingham Mini Ring. Your comments about staff flexibility are noted and will be shared with the team to help improve how we support guests in similar situations. We’re glad to hear the boat itself met your expectations, and we hope to welcome you back for a smoother and more enjoyable trip in the future. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
Excellent trip third time on the Llangollen great canal
23 Sep 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and detailed feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had an excellent trip aboard Hooded Warbler and that our team at Whitchurch, Wrenbury, and Blackwater Meadow helped make your experience so enjoyable. We’ll be sure to pass on your thanks to Joe and the rest of the crew — even if they don’t see this directly, it means a lot to know their efforts are appreciated. It’s wonderful to hear this was your third time on the Llangollen — such a special canal — and we hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable journey. Many thanks from all of us at ABC Boat Hire.
24 Sep 2025
